STOCKTON - Brian Sandy, a sports executive who has worked in the NBA, will be the next president of the Stockton Thunder, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The ECHL franchise has scheduled a news conference for 6 p.m. Monday at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, where Thunder owner Brad Rowbotham is expected to introduce Sandy as the second president in team history. Sandy will succeed Stockton's Dan Chapman, who served as president from 2005, when the franchise relocated from Atlantic City, N.J., until June, when he accepted an associate athletic director position at Pacific.

Rowbotham declined to confirm the team's new president, but indicated he was pleased with the search and the final result.

"We had many fine candidates apply," said Rowbotham, who bought the Thunder from Michael Reinsdorf in 2010. "One thing I'll say is that we have an impressive individual who is determined to come in and build on our success."

Sandy brings sports management and hockey experience to the Thunder. He currently is the associate general manager for IMG College at the University of Arizona - a nationwide collegiate multimedia, marketing and licensing company.

Sandy worked for the Portland Trail Blazers as operations manager (1991-98), suite sales/corporate sales manager (2002-2005) and senior director of premium sales and service (2011-13). He was with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League in Kennewick, Wash., for six years (2005-11), rising to senior vice president of business operations.

Sandy graduated from Oregon in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Rowbotham began his search when Chapman resigned last month to take a new position at Pacific overseeing ticket sales, athletic media relations and marketing. Chapman was the first employee hired by the Thunder. During his tenure, the Thunder never finished outside the top five in attendance in the 22-team ECHL. Last season, the Thunder advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time but lost to the Reading (Pa.) Royals in five games.

Rowbotham also is searching for a new head coach to replace Matt Thomas, who recently became the coach at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Rowbotham said he is close to completing that process.